Virginia Berg

Late Night Larson: Study where there’s free pop, free popcorn, free tutoring and no need to whisper. Sounds great doesn’t it? But there’s only one thing missing … students.

While Late Night Larson welcomes all, few have actually come. According to Jennifer Ochoki, a junior nursing major and Late Night Larson tutoring assistant, about 50 people have shown up since it started on Sept. 13. In other words, if you are looking for some place to study between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, Late Night Larson has plenty of room to fit you in.

So why aren’t students studying at Late Night Larson? Atmosphere, cold weather, and moving all of your studying necessities are all reasons that Ochoki listed.

While some students, such as sophomore pre-pharmacy major Brittany Gauer, say that it’s just a studying preference.

“I don’t really like studying in libraries and places like that,” Gauer said.

Other reasons that students may not go to Late Night Larson is not wanting to go alone, even though students are encouraged to bring study groups. Although no study groups have chosen to use Late Night Larson for a meeting place yet “they are welcome to come,” Ochoki said.

Then there’s the title: Late Night Larson. Do students actually consider 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. “late night”?

Gauer doesn’t.

“Not really, it’s more like evening,” she said.

But then again the name “Evening Larson” wouldn’t have the same ring to it.

Despite a poor showing, studying at Late Night Larson does have benefits, including study help from tutors and wireless Internet.

Tutoring is available for all students, but priority is given to TRIO students and athletes in need, Ochoki said.

“If they (students) are having problems with an assignment, or need extra help with certain questions that the professor may not have made clear, or that the student may not have understood,” said Late Night Larson math tutor Aaron Manthey, a sophomore math major.

To ensure the quality of tutoring at Late Night Larson tutees do evaluations after each tutoring session, and tutors do monthly evaluations. The results of these evaluations are regularly reported to the TRIO office, said sophomore biology major and tutor Jennifer Schrank.

“We usually get good reviews,” Manthey said.

“Tutors are trained quite extensively,” Schrank said.

The program’s tutors must complete a full day of training in the summer where they are taught how to handle right and wrong answers, how to deal with learning disorders, as well as confidentiality. Schrank also expressed that the program helps students develop study strategies through one-on-one tutoring.

Manthey said that some of the advantages of Late Night Larson include that “it’s more interactive,” and you can talk at a normal volume where you would have to whisper at the library.

Similar services are offered at Late Night Medary, which takes place in Medary Commons.